Training equipment

Abstract

The objective is to provide training equipment and systems that enable users to naturally acquire the movements necessary for improving skills in golf and other sports. [Solution] In one aspect of the present invention, a training device comprising a curved plate material, wherein the plate material has a point of contact with the ground and swings in a predetermined direction with the point of contact as a pivot point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a training device provided for users aiming to improve sports skills.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, various training devices and training methods have been provided for users aiming to improve sports skills, particularly golf skills.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a system is disclosed that enables a user to practice golf while simulating an actual golf course.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, as a conventional golf practice method including the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, practical practice methods mainly based on swinging a golf club or hitting a ball have been widely popular. However, for improving the golf swing, rather than swinging a golf club, it is important to acquire a smooth and relaxed body movement without force.

[0006] By eliminating force, it is possible to naturally acquire movements mainly using inner muscles, and by such movements, a golf swing using the body axis can be realized.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a training device and a system capable of naturally acquiring movements necessary for improving skills such as golf. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a training device comprising a curved plate material, wherein the plate material has a point of contact with the ground and swings in a predetermined direction with the point of contact as a pivot point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide training equipment and systems that enable users to naturally acquire the movements necessary for improving skills such as golf. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates an example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates another example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates yet another example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates yet another example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates a system that provides a training method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the functional configuration of a server terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates an example of user data stored in a server terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates an example of training equipment data stored in a server terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This flowchart illustrates an example of a training method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]It is a flowchart diagram for explaining another example of a training method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining a facility in which a training device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is arranged.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are essential components of the present invention.

[0012] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the training device 1 includes a plate material 11 having a curved shape. The plate material 11 has a contact point F with the ground G and swings in a predetermined direction with the contact point F as a fulcrum.

[0014] First, the user places the feet at a predetermined interval on the upper part of the plate material 11 of the training device 1 and stands upright approximately. Here, marks or guides may be provided on the upper part of the plate material to indicate the positions where the feet are to be placed.

[0015] The training device 1 has a structure that swings in a direction perpendicular to the direction facing the front when the user stands upright (the left - right direction shown in FIG. 1). The user moves the waist so as to protrude left and right while facing the front, and thus the training device 1 swings in the left - right direction. By repeating this movement, the user can experience and acquire flexible movements in the left - right direction while being conscious of the body axis.

[0016] Here, regarding the plate material 11 of the training device 1, by preparing a plurality of training devices 1 equipped with plate materials having different radii of curvature, the user can experience different swings for a certain body movement. As the body adapts to the swings, the user can exercise the trunk while acquiring supple body movements. Further, the training device 1 preferably has a width of 150 cm, a height of 25 cm, a height / width ratio of 1 / 6, and at least a width of 100 cm or more or 120 cm or more. Furthermore, the height / width ratio is preferably at least 1 / 4.5 or more, 1 / 5 or more. If the height / width ratio is less than 1 / 4.5, the slope is steep and it is difficult to maintain balance. Also, without a predetermined width and with insufficient height ratio, when reproducing the weight transfer in golf, the balance is lost, the knees bend, and it becomes difficult to obtain the expected training effect. Specifically, the stretch of the obliques is insufficient, and it is difficult to acquire the ideal body movement for a golf swing.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining another example of the training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The training device 2 of this example has a grip 21, a cable 22 connected to the grip 21, and a connecting device 23 provided at an end different from the end of the cable 22 connected to the grip 21.

[0019] The grip 21 can be made of rubber or resin, but is not limited to a specific material. Also, a shaft can be provided inside the grip 21. Also, grips of different sizes can be applied according to the size of the user's hand.

[0020] Cable 22 can be a string-like tube type, a flat band type, etc., and all are made of an elastic material. The grip 21 and cable 22 are connected via a metal hook or carabiner, but they can also be an integrated structure. The connecting device 23 can also be a metal hook or carabiner, but it can also be an integrated structure with the cable 22. The connecting device 23 is intended for attaching the training equipment 2 to structures such as pillars indoors or outdoors, and can also be attached to designated locations such as hooks provided in the training booth 4 described later.

[0021] The user attaches the training device 2 to a desired position on a fixed structure or the like, and while gripping the grip 21, performs a swing motion. The action of the elastic cable 22 allows the user to perform stretching exercises while applying a constant load. This enables the user to learn the swing while developing flexible movements.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates another example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The training device 3 shown in Figure 3 is a modified version of the training device 2 shown in Figure 2, and is particularly characterized by the fact that the grip 31 is composed of two sub-grips 31A and 31B. The sub-grips 31A and 31B are connected by a connecting part 32C, forming a single integrated structure as the grip 31.

[0024] The cable 32, as in the example in Figure 2, can be a string-like tube type, a flat band type, or the like, and is made of an elastic material. The grip 31 and the cable 32 are connected via a metal hook or carabiner, but they can also be an integrated structure. The connecting device 33 can also be a metal hook or carabiner, but it can also be an integrated structure with the cable 32. The connecting device 33 is intended for attaching the training equipment 2 to structures such as pillars indoors or outdoors, and can also be attached to designated locations such as hooks provided in the training booth 4 described later.

[0025] The user attaches the training device 3 to a desired position on a fixed structure or other object, and while gripping the grips 31A and 31B with one hand, performs a swing motion. The action of the elastic cable 32 allows the user to perform stretching exercises while applying a constant load. This enables the user to learn the swing while developing flexible movements.

[0026] As described above, by using any of training equipment 1 to 3, users can naturally acquire the correct golf swing, along with flexible movements, while simultaneously improving their body shape, without swinging a golf club or hitting a golf ball. Furthermore, while the above example described the use of training equipment for improving golf swing skills, it can also be used to improve skills in other sports that involve swinging with equipment, such as baseball and tennis. Moreover, it can be used not only for improving sports skills but also for core training and posture improvement.

[0027] Figure 4 illustrates yet another example of a training device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The training booth 4 shown in Figure 4 comprises a structure 41 for defining a predetermined training space and mounting fixtures 42 provided on the structure 41.

[0029] The structure 41 has a lattice-like framework structure that can be assembled from square steel materials, etc., and defines a three-dimensional space. It is preferable that the structure 41 can be easily assembled, for example, it is envisioned to be placed as a training booth in a corner of an office space. The structure 41 only needs to define a three-dimensional space at a minimum, but side walls and a ceiling can also be provided.

[0030] The structure 41 may be equipped with mounting fixtures 42 (for example, metal hooks, etc.) for attaching training equipment 3 and training equipment 5. Users can hang the cables of each piece of equipment on the mounting fixtures 42 for storage, or attach the connecting devices of each piece of equipment to the mounting fixtures 42 when using training equipment 3 and training equipment 5. Users may also use other training equipment in the training booth 4, not just the training equipment exemplified in Figure 4.

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates a system providing a training method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] System 1 includes a server terminal 100, user terminals 200A and 200B, and training facility terminals 300A and 300B, which receive input information from training facility terminals provided within the training facility and / or user terminals owned by users performing training, analyze the input information, and process output for the user. For the sake of explanation, each terminal is described as a single or specific number, but there is no limit to the number of each.

[0033] Server terminal 100, user terminals 200A and 200B, and training facility terminals 300A and 300B are each connected via network NW1. Network NW consists of the Internet, intranet, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

[0034] The server terminal 100 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or it may be logically implemented through cloud computing.

[0035] The user terminals 200A and 200B and the training facility terminals 300A and 300B are, for example, information processing devices such as personal computers and tablet terminals, but may also be composed of smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the training equipment 400A and 400B provided at the training facility may be tagged. The tag may be based on RFID, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. For example, the tag may be configured to communicate with the user terminals 200A and 200B. Specifically, by holding the user terminals 200A and 200B over the tag 31, the tag is read and identified by the user terminals 200A and 200B. The identification process referred to here means the process related to the identification (equipment ID, etc.) of the tagged training equipment 400A and 400B by the user terminals 200A and 200B. The result of the tag identification process by the user terminals 200A and 200B may be transmitted to the server terminal 100. Here, the training equipment 400A and 400B may be identified by the training terminals 300A and 300B provided at the training facility, and the result of the identification process may be transmitted to the server terminal 100.

[0037] Alternatively, the training equipment 400A and 400B may be equipped with a communication unit (transmitter). In this case, the communication unit may transmit information related to the operation of the training equipment, such as data measured by an acceleration sensor attached to the training equipment, to the user terminal 200A, 200B or the training facility terminal 300A, 300B via Bluetooth® communication or the like.

[0038] In this embodiment, System 1 is described as comprising a server terminal 100, user terminals 200A and 200B, and training facility terminals 300A and 300B, with each terminal's user performing operations on the server terminal 100 using their respective terminal. However, the server terminal 100 may be configured standalone, and the server terminal itself may be equipped with functions that allow each user to operate it directly. Hereafter, as necessary, user terminals 200A and 200B, and training facility terminals 300A and 300B will be collectively referred to as user terminal 200 and training facility terminal 300, respectively. Similarly, training equipment 400A and 400B will be collectively referred to as training equipment 400.

[0039] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of the server terminal 100 shown in Figure 5. The server terminal 100 comprises a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0040] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with user terminals 200 and training facility terminals 300 via the network NW1, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0041] The memory unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 120 also has a user data storage unit 121 for storing various data related to the user performing the training, and an equipment data storage unit 122 for storing information related to the training equipment. A database (not shown) containing various data may be built outside of the memory unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0042] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing programs stored in the memory unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives information from each terminal, a user information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various data related to the user, and an equipment information processing unit 133 that refers to and processes various data related to training equipment information. The information receiving unit 131, the user information processing unit 132, and the equipment information processing unit 133 are started by programs stored in the memory unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic computer).

[0043] The information receiving unit 131 receives information from the user terminal 200 and the training facility terminal 300 via the communication unit 110. For example, it receives information from the user terminal 200 or the training facility terminal 300 indicating which training equipment is being used, as well as input information regarding golf skills.

[0044] The user information processing unit 132 refers to various user-related data (for example, user data 1000 described later) received from the user terminal 200 and the training facility terminal 300, and performs predetermined processing.

[0045] The equipment information processing unit 133 refers to various data related to training equipment information, etc. (for example, equipment data 2000 described later) and performs predetermined processing.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may also have a screen generation unit (not shown) that generates screen information to be displayed via the user interface of the user terminal 200 as needed. For example, using image and text data (not shown) stored in the storage unit 120 as material, the user interface is generated by arranging various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface according to predetermined layout rules. Processing related to the image generation unit can also be performed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0047] Figure 7 shows an example of user data stored in the server terminal 100.

[0048] The user data 1000 shown in Figure 7 stores various data related to the user performing the training. In Figure 7, for the sake of explanation, an example of one user (for example, a user identified by user ID "10001") is shown, but information for multiple users can be stored. Various data related to the user may include, but are not limited to, basic information about the user (for example, username, name, address, contact information (email address, phone number), gender, date of birth, etc.), training information (for example, the date and time the user checked in / checked out of the training facility, the equipment used by the user for training, the number of sessions, etc.), golf skill information (for example, the user's golf score, driving distance history, etc.), and training menu information (for example, the training menu the user wants, the recommended training menu, etc.).

[0049] Figure 8 shows an example of device data stored in the server terminal 100.

[0050] Equipment data 2000 stores various data related to training equipment. In Figure 8, for the sake of explanation, an example of one piece of training equipment (e.g., equipment unit) (equipment identified by equipment ID "20001") is shown, but information on multiple pieces of equipment can be stored. Various data related to training equipment may include, but are not limited to, basic information (e.g., equipment name, facility name, equipment details, etc.), training information (e.g., user ID of the user who used the equipment, training history of each user using that equipment, etc.), and golf skill information (e.g., golf score of the user who used the equipment, driving distance history, etc.).

[0051] <Processing flow> The processing flow of the training method executed by System 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and subsequent figures. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a training method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] First, as part of step S101, the user enters basic information about themselves (for example, name, address, contact information, gender, date of birth, etc.) via a predetermined form using a web browser or application on the user terminal 200. Once the user enters the predetermined information, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the basic information entered by the user from the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The user information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received basic information as user data 1000 in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120. This process may also be performed by the user entering the same information into the training facility terminal 300, or by a user such as a training facility staff member.

[0053] Next, as part of step S102, for example, the user unlocks the training facility by holding a user terminal 200, such as a smartphone, over a card reader 500 installed at the entrance of the training facility used by the user, as shown in Figure 11, and enters the training facility. Various methods are possible for the unlocking operation, including methods using a card key, methods using an application built into the user terminal 200, etc., and are not limited to any particular method. When the user enters, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the user's entry information from the user terminal 200 or card reader 500 via the communication unit 110. The user information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received entry information as user data 1000 in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120. Furthermore, this process only needs to be able to manage when a user enters the training facility through an operation other than a card key, etc. For example, the user may use a user terminal 200 to read a QR code (registered trademark) installed at the reception of the training facility, or the user or a user in charge of the training facility may perform a predetermined input operation on the training facility terminal 300 to record entry.

[0054] Next, as part of step S103, for example, each time the user performs training using the training equipment within the training facility, the user terminal 200, such as a smartphone, reads the tag attached to the training equipment 400 used by the user as shown in Figure 11. The user terminal 200 then performs recognition processing of the training equipment 400 being used and collects information related to the operation of the training equipment 400 (e.g., the number of repetitions of the training equipment's operation, load, etc.) detected by the acceleration sensor attached to the training equipment 400. Here, as shown in Figure 11, the user performs training in the order of training equipment 400A, 400B, 400C, and 400D, as recommended by the training menu. The user terminal 200, paired with each piece of training equipment, collects usage records and operation information of the training equipment and transmits this information to the server terminal 100. The user information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received training equipment usage records and operation information of the training equipment as user data 1000 in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120. Furthermore, this process can be performed by the training facility terminal 300 instead of the user terminal 200.

[0055] Next, as part of step S104, for example, the user unlocks the training facility by holding a user terminal 200, such as a smartphone, over a card reader 500 installed at the exit of the training facility used by the user, as shown in Figure 11, and then leaves the training facility. Various methods are possible for the unlocking operation, including methods using a card key, methods using an application built into the user terminal 200, etc., and are not limited to any particular method. When the user leaves, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the user's departure information from the user terminal 200 or card reader 500 via the communication unit 110. The user information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received departure information as user data 1000 in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120. Furthermore, this process only needs to be able to manage when a user leaves the training facility by an operation other than a card key, etc. For example, the user may record their departure by a predetermined method such as reading a QR code (registered trademark) installed at the reception of the training facility using the user terminal 200, or by having the user or a user in charge of the training facility perform a predetermined input operation on the training facility terminal 300.

[0056] According to this embodiment, by managing entry and exit records and training equipment usage history, it is possible to check the training status and content of each user, and to confirm whether the user is following the recommended training menu.

[0057] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing another example of a training method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] First, as part of step S201, the user uses a web browser or application on the user terminal 200 to input information about their golf skills (for example, golf round scores, information about driving distances, etc.) via a predetermined form. Once the user has entered the predetermined information, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the golf skill information entered by the user from the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 110. The user information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 stores the received golf skill information as user data 1000 in the user data storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120. This process may also be performed by the user entering the same information into the training facility terminal 300, or by a user such as a training facility staff member.

[0059] Next, as part of step S202, the user information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the user's golf skill data and training equipment data stored in the user data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120, compares the user's training history (e.g., training time / frequency based on entry / exit information, training equipment used by the user, number of repetitions of training equipment, load transitions, etc.) with the golf skill score history (e.g., increase / decrease in the user's golf score, changes in driving distance, etc.), and analyzes the correlation. For example, if a correlation is found where a user performs 30 repetitions of balance training equipment 1 once a week, and subsequently their driving distance increases by 10 meters as a golf skill, it can be analyzed that training using balance training equipment 1 is effective in improving driving distance. Here, the equipment information processing unit 133 can also generate a learning model by machine learning using training information of multiple users, managed for each piece of equipment and stored in the training equipment data storage unit 122 of the memory unit 120, as input information and golf skill score information as output information. The user information processing unit 132 and the training equipment information processing unit 133 each store the analyzed training information and the generated learning model in the user data storage unit 121 and the equipment data storage unit 122, respectively.

[0060] Next, as part of step S203, the training equipment information processing unit 133 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the training information stored in the user data storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 and determines a training menu to recommend to the user. For example, as described above, the training equipment information processing unit 133 can determine and propose a training menu using balance training equipment 1 that is highly correlated with improving golf skills such as increasing driving distance. The training menu may include the selection of training equipment to be used, as well as the training time, number of repetitions and / or frequency using the training equipment, the combination of training equipment to be used, and the order. It is also possible to determine a training menu based on the user's input of goals. For example, based on the user's input of the goal "I want to increase my driving distance," the use of balance training equipment 1 may be recommended, or based on the user's input of the goal "I want to improve my score," the use of stretch training equipment 2 may be recommended.

[0061] Furthermore, the equipment information processing unit 133 can also refer to the training information stored in the equipment data storage unit 122 of the memory unit 120 and determine a training menu to recommend to the user. For example, the equipment information processing unit 133 can determine a training menu to recommend to the user based on a learning model generated based on training information and golf skill information obtained from multiple users. This improves the accuracy of the training menu that is effective for the user. For example, if the learning result determines that training using the stretch training equipment 2 is effective for improving driving distance, the equipment information processing unit 133 can recommend a training menu using the stretch training equipment 2 to the user. Similarly, the training menu can also be determined based on the user's input of goals. For example, based on the user's input of the goal "I want to increase my driving distance," the use of stretch training equipment 2 can be recommended, or based on the user's input of the goal "I want to improve my score," the use of stretch training equipment 3 can be recommended.

[0062] Furthermore, the equipment information processing unit 133 can combine the training information stored in the user data storage unit 121 and the training information stored in the equipment data storage unit 122 to propose a generally applicable training menu, determined based on machine learning, to the user after personalizing it based on individual user data.

[0063] The user terminal 200 can display recommended training menus to the user via a web browser or application. Alternatively, they can be displayed via a training terminal 300 located in the training facility.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, by analyzing the training information of each user obtained from the training equipment, it is possible to propose a highly accurate training menu to the user. In addition, users can manage their training by referring to their training history.

[0065] Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, these can be implemented in various other forms, and can be carried out with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments and variations, as well as those with omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are included within the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1. Training equipment 2. Training equipment 3. Training equipment 4. Training booth 5. Training equipment

Claims

1. A training device comprising a curved plate, The aforementioned plate material is Having a point of contact with the ground, A training device that swings in a predetermined direction using the aforementioned point of contact as a pivot point.

2. A training device according to claim 1, The aforementioned training equipment is used to improve the motion of the golf swing. Training equipment.

3. A training device according to claim 1, The predetermined direction is a training device in which the direction the user faces when standing upright on the upper surface of the plate material is perpendicular to the direction the user faces.

Images